The Los Angeles Clippers (23-10) clash with the Utah Jazz (19-12) at the Staples Center. The game is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 220 points with Los Angeles set as a 9-point favorite.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers Betting Prediction
In the Jazz’s last contest, they covered the 5.5-point spread against the Portland Trail Blazers, 121-115. The game’s total points (236) came in over the projected point total of 222.5. The Jazz had a better free throw rate (0.185 vs. 0.157) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.654 (above their season average of 0.531). Utah received a boost from Donovan Mitchell, who was the top scorer from either team with 35 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
The Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers in their last outing, 111-106, despite being 2-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (217) were under the O/U total of 221.5. The Clippers knocked down 24 of their 32 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 24.3). Kawhi Leonard was the top scorer from either team with 35 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the league’s top rebounding teams square off. The Clippers are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.5 percent. Meanwhile, Utah ranks third in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 79.9 percent.
Utah is 19-12 straight up (SU), but they have difficulty covering the spread (12-17-2 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Jazz games, with 16 unders compared to 15 overs.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 23-10 SU and 18-14-1 ATS. Of the Clippers’ 33 games, 19 have finished under the total.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Clippers won the most recent matchup 105-94, covering as 5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 199 points, which was 14 points below the projected point total of 213 points. The Clippers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.7 vs. 14.3) and had a much better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 13.3). Despite the loss, Mitchell was the game’s leading scorer with 36 points.
Jazz vs. Clippers Odds Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Utah ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (31.8) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (34.8).
Los Angeles ranks fourth in rebounds per game (47.9) while Utah ranks 16th (45.5).
The Clippers rank 19th in assists per game (23.3) while the Jazz rank 26th (21.5).
Los Angeles is 10-5-1 ATS at home, while Utah is 6-9-1 ATS on the road.
In its last five outings, Utah is 2-1-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 1.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 118.8 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.8 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
